Gifts That Matter

Christmas time is so fun.  I love all the traditions.  I love spending more time in the overly decorated, a tad gaudy house with the treasures God has blessed me with.

But I can't shake the sick feeling I get in my stomach thinking of all the things that this season can do to a person...a otherwise REALLY good person that loves Jesus.  So many people rack up the debt.  They spend a ton of money to give a gift that most likely won't even be liked...much less used.  They get all greedy and open presents thinking, "Well this is junk.  What is next?"

We do it here too.  Don't get me wrong, I am not perfect (surprise!)  And I love to give gifts.  I love the surprise on the face of my kids when they open something and it is just what they wanted.  I love hearing my two year old look through the Toys R Us ad and say "I want this for Christmas as one of my three gifts."  We do that 3 gifts thing...each kid gets 3 gifts and then a few little pieces of junk in their stocking :)

BUT I love even more hearing my children read their Bible verses each day that I made this year and slipped into our candy Advent Calendar.  LOVE even more having them ask me if we have wrapped our gift for Alice, the little girl we sponsor, yet.  LOVE even more hearing one of them explain to another why we celebrate Christmas the way we do in our home.

If you are over the Christmas gifting tragedy in our country.  If you want to give a gift that matters.  If you want to HONOR the person you are giving to.

Try this.

Hop over to my friend Christie's blog and make a donation to help them reach their $10000 (yeah that is the right amount of zeros!) matching gift and read about all the great things God is going to do with that gift!

Purchase a brick at my friend Amy's home and ministry, Village of Hope in Guatemala.  There are A LOT of places I could send you to do this, but this post says it best for me!




Visit our website and see your gifting options.




God will continue to do HIS work in each of these precious ministries.  He leaves you with the choice to be a part of HIS work or not.

What better gift to give this Christmas than Jesus.

SPOKEN 4 shirts

Check out our adoption shirts.  So my friends pointed out that I always design shirts for other people and I needed to come up with one for our adoption of Emmanuel.

So Gabe and I got together and came up with this design.  Because we are always talking about speaking up for those that cannot speak for themselves.  It is probably our life's mission these days.  And Emmanuel is SPOKEN FOR.  The Browns have spoken for him.

And THANK GOD we are all SPOKEN FOR by Christ and chosen by Him.  So this shirt can be for you adoption lovers or just anyone that wants to remember that JESUS has chosen them.

This IS NOT a fundraiser (I know, shock, right, that is all we ever do!).  These are shirts being offered at cost as we put in an order for family and friends to wear these shirts to the airport as we come home with Emmanuel.

Orders need to be in by October 8th.
HERE IS THE SHOP ENTRANCE!
If you have questions email me!

At the heart of it all

The AMAZING company I am blessed to be a part of, Thirty One Gifts has joined the National Heart Walk this fall.  They are encouraging their consultants all over the country to get involved with their area Heart Walk and to raise funds for the American Heart Association.

When I heard about this I signed up right away and was ready to start stepping at my local walk to raise funds.  After all, its a walk not a marathon or anything CRAZY.  Well typical to many busy families, the days the walks are scheduled in our state ALL don't work for our family.

But God kept stirring that I was to be involved and to still do something.  Why?  Because HE said so and it is a good cause.

Why is it close to my heart?  Because 2 years ago our daughter Gaby died from complications due to her Congenital Heart Disease.  Because we spent MONTHS in hospitals around the country in Pediatric Intensive Care Units meeting families battling Heart Disease.  Because we fell in love with hospital staff that serve these children and work hard to find cures and ways to help.

My 31 team walk shirt came yesterday in the mail and as I opened it that stirring from God I mentioned earlier became an up in my face "You are going to do this girl."

For our sweet Gaby and all the other children of God, both young and old, around the world that have special hearts in September:  I can't walk, but I am pouring myself into fundraising for them.

100% of my 31 commissions in September will be given to these 2 organizations.  The American Heart Association because of all they do and because that is who Thirty One has chosen to partner with.  Samaritan's Purse Children's Heart Project because their work lines up with our family's passions.  If we lived in a larger city, we would TOTALLY be host families for this ministry.  Since we can't, we go to visit when families come for surgery and we partner with the host families to be of any help that we can from afar.

                         






Ok, this is getting DANGEROUSLY long and I probably already lost half of you so getting to the point of where you come in...

5 ways you can help and don't just pick one!

• Pray.  Ask God for His healing touch for hearts around the world.  Hearts that need to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Hearts that need to be repaired.  And let Him speak into your heart what He wants from you.
• Share this post all over the place.  See those helpful share buttons at the bottom of the post, use them!
• Place a Thirty One order in September.  You can do that on my 31 website here.  You can also email me.
• Ask me for a few Thirty One Catalogs.  Show them around to friends, family, ANYONE and ask them to place an order.  More info on a book party here.  AS A 31 HOSTESS, YOU GET FREE 31 PRODUCT AS A REWARD!
• Host a September Thirty One party at your home.  Here is more info on that.  Email me to chat more about that.  It is low stress and low pressure, I PROMISE.  AS A 31 HOSTESS, YOU GET FREE 31 PRODUCT AS A REWARD!

If you haven't seen the NEW fall Thirty One catalog, you are going to flip out at all the wonderful new prints and products.  View a fall catalog here online or email me and I will mail you one!

Alright, there you have it.  Hope you will join me whole-heartedly :) and see what we can all do together through Jesus.  Because at the heart of it all is Him.

New Hope Grafted In Shop!

So excited to announce the opening of our Hope Grafted In shop.  All donations are tax deductible and you will receive the item you want as a gift from our ministry!

Check out the Apparel for fall for Ladies, Men, and Kids!  And don't miss my favorite, all the Kenyan Market stuff.  We will be adding a Ugandan Market soon!

Happy Shopping!

HOT MC

A chance to change a life and get 31 products at the same time!

Check out our Hostess Of The Month Club and email me if you want to be in the club!  Can ship to anywhere in the US!

http://www.scribd.com/doc/99221739

Check out 31 products here to see what you can get.

And here is a sample of a monthly special so you get the idea!

Hope Grafted In Sponsorship

God is working many things together for good with our involvement with Haven of Hope in Kenya, Sangaalo Babies and Ebenezer Children's Home in Uganda.  A non-profit, Hope Grafted In, is currently being set up here in the US that will benefit these and many other orphanage projects.  A website for Hope Grafted In is being developed.  All these things take time, so while we work and wait...no reason we can't begin our sponsorship program!

If you'd like to sponsor one of the children or staff members at the orphanages Hope Grafted In partners...

• First, Email me and request the list of those waiting to be sponsored for you to choose from.  If you prefer Haven of Hope, Sangaalo Babies, or Ebenezer Children's Home indicate that in your email please.
• Choose a child or staff member and commit to being their sponsor.
•  Commit to pray for the person you choose.
•  Commit to write, send gifts to your person.  The relationship that you build will instill in them the gifts of love, trust, and hope.  Your words and interactions mean more than you know.
• Commit to support your person by donating the sponsorship fees if applicable.

• Make your tax-deductible sponsorship payments for your person here. 
• Select Recurring Monthly Support Fee:  And enter your sponsorship fee for the person or persons you sponsor
• Select your person's orphanage  from the budget dropdown menu
• Enter your person's name in the "Notes" section
• Email me back and let me know you did this and I will send out your packet!

The Benefits of being a Sponsor...

• Receive a picture of your child or staff member so you can begin praying for them by name.
• Receive periodic updates from the Director of the orphanage on the ministry.
• Receive an e-newsletter on the ministry.
• Opportunity to schedule a video chat with your child or staff member.*
• Opportunity to visit the ministry through a Visiting Orphans team trip to Kenya or Uganda.
• Receive a mailing address where you can ship gifts, cards, letters to your person.
• Any monetary donation is tax deductible and you will receive a year-end giving statement.
  
  

*We hope to set up a schedule that you can sign up to Skype with your person.  This will always be determined by what is best for the ministry and the inconsistent internet connections in Africa!

HGI Child Sponsorship Brochure
Sponsorship Agreement

Blessings!

Help Daniel

Daniel with our October VO team.

 Just a quick note to ask you to pray for a friend.  The driver that helps our teams in Kenya get around was injured while on top of a bus securing luggage.  Please pray that he heals quickly.  He is married and has 2 young children.  His family depends on him to provide and when he can't work, they struggle.

Daniel and his 2 children enjoying dinner with our team.

We are going to be wiring Daniel a gift tonight.  If you'd like to donate, e-mail me.  Or go to paypal.com, select "send money", select "personal", select "gift" and send to my paypal sgbrown2@gmail.com.

And help us spread the word today!  Thanks!

Fashion Friday

Ok, this could be a stretch!  This is not a fashion blog, and I am FAR from anything fashionable.   But for our adoption we sell these fun shirts from various places.  And Grafted Together, our Etsy store that gives all proceeds to orphans, widows, and adopting families, offers fun accessories.  So in an effort to offer something a little different from the drama and deep thoughts here some days, gonna give this a try.  Can't take credit, or blame, depending on your opinion, someone else suggested I try this!

So today's outfit is for women and young ladies.  Keep in mind, I like it simple.  I also love to wear clothing that tells others what I am all about and/or reminds me throughout the day of WHOSE I am.  You can layer this up as much or as little as you want with accessories!

front of shirt with 2 bracelets

back of shirt with 2 bracelets

2 bracelets

The shirt is available through Wild Olive.  The size that I wear is Fitted Large if that helps you determine what you want.  Their button is on the right!  You need to enter Brown0123 in coupon code and comments so that your purchase goes towards our adoption!  Love the message of the shirt.  Love the soft trendy fit.  Love the bright colors.

The fabric bracelet is made by my good friend Jody.  She has all kinds of fabrics to choose from!   $10 each. I love to pair these bracelets with a rubber bracelet or simple bangle.  You can get these through our Etsy store!

The rubber bracelet is one of our new fundraisers for bringing home Noah.  They are available in lime (this one!), hot pink, deep purple, gray, and black.  $3 each!  You can e-mail me to order or go through our Etsy store.

So there you have it.  Love to see pics of you or someone you love in their outfit!  Happy Friday.

thank you from Nellie

For all of you who helped with donating for the washing machines for Nellie's birthday, thank you from Nellie in Kenya.  If you didn't get in on this one, there will be many more opportunities here to help this sweet lady so watch this and get to know her a little bit...






pause playlist at the bottom of blog before you watch this video or you are going to hear way to many noises at once

Cupid

We are one month away from celebrating Valentines Day!  My friend, Ryan, is beginning booking for singing Valentine telegrams! Cupid will surprise your loved one with a song or poem.  It can be done at home or the workplace.  Minimum $50 donation proceeds go to helping orphans find forever families.  If you are interested, please email Ryan Weaver at rweaver@fwayfc.org as the time slots will fill up fast!

 

Why I sell thirty-one

Just received this Google Instant Message from a friend, Moses, in Kenya...love technology that brings us together!

May God bless you for all the Good work that you are doing.You are helping the voiceless and God will always Bless you and your family.Thanks

Praise God for all He has done and we give all glory to Him.  This message leads me to explain why I sell thirty-one...

I am not very good at selling things.  I can sell an idea I believe in like why you should visit orphans or adopt.  But selling someone a product is more intimidating.  Call me silly, I just am not sure they really need the product.  I don't want to encourage them to get something they don't want just because they feel pressured to and I for sure don't want to be part of the pressuring.  But all that aside, God is revealing to me that sometimes He uses the things we aren't comfortable with to do great things for Him.  thirty-one has been ones of those things in my life.

I was originally drawn to it because of the cute products.  I love bags and these are so fun.  I also attended a sale that was an adoption fundraiser for a friend and I thought, well I could do that.  The more I looked into it the more affirmations I received, yep sell this stuff and give the proceeds to adoptions, orphans, and widows.

The thirty-one name is in reference to the Proverbs 31 woman.  And while I strive to be that woman, most often failing with great magnitude, the reason I sell it is found earlier in Proverbs 31.  The verses that Gabe and I have been quoting for years to each other that are the reason we do the things we do.  The reason we have this blog in the first place.

 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
   for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
   defend the rights of the poor and needy.   

And that is really as simple as it is.  I use the thirty-one products that are useful and wonderful for families to raise funds and speak up.  My commission goes towards these things.  And I love to do fundraisers!

In the past 3 months of selling these products (October 2011-December 2011) I have been blessed to, in no particular order:

• Raise $200 for an adopting family that in turn gave half of those proceeds to a mom of 35 in Kenya.
• Help to give 2 large capacity washing machines for a friend in Kenya that runs Haven of Hope orphanage.
• Give $110 to a family that is adopting 2 girls through the local foster care system
• Give $110 to a family adopting from Congo
• Sponsor a child through Children's Hopechest.
• Raise $680 towards Keaton and Gabe's trip to Kenya
• Sign up a consultant who is selling thirty-one to raise money for special needs adoptions all over the world.
• Sign up a consultant who is selling thirty-one to bring in some extra money for her and her retired pastor husband.
• Provide 83 people with new bags that they love or gifted to someone that now loves them!
• Provide 11 hostesses with lots of free products and the chance to clean their house and hang out with their friends.

And God receives the glory for all these things.  Because I am simply a vessel that is so blessed to be used by Him to bring hope to others.  

If you ever want to have a party for fun, need a fundraiser, want to sell thirty-one for your own reasons, or just need a new bag, I would love to help.  Just e-mail me or visit my thirty-one site!

update on washing machines

New date for making donations for that birthday surprise.  It's today!  Post a comment or e-mail me to get donations in.  Thank you! 

birthday gift surprise

Everyone loves a good surprise.  And most of us love giving gifts.  Well this is about BOTH!

Remember my friend Nellie, the director of Haven of Hope in Nakuru, Kenya?  We sent her $1500 a couple weeks ago to pay for her rent, utilities, and food for her kids!

We are going to surprise our friend in Kenya on her birthday.  (Read more about my friend here!)  Her birthday is coming up on January 6th and every momma deserves a present on her special day.

I am worried she will see this post and it will ruin the surprise, but I am taking that risk.  She tells me she reads our blog every day, but I hope she skips today!  Felt like this was too good not to let you all be a part of the fun.

We are going to buy her some washing machines.  As many as we can afford.  She has the space and hook ups for a few.  Also sending a BIG birthday card from all of us!

Do you know this mama of 32 children under the age of 5 washes all her family's clothing and linens by hand with a bar of soap in a bucket?  She spent 7 hours one night last week catching up on the laundry while the kids slept so she'd have time to spend with them during the day when they were awake.  She said she was so tired the next day.

THIS IS NOT OK.  Something as simple as the body of Christ rising up and giving paired with a local Best Buy (which is really called Nakumatt in Kenya) can solve this problem.

You might be asking at this point, how do you know all that Shelley?  You are making that up about her not sleeping and doing laundry in a bucket.  Nope, I am not.  I have been blessed since returning from my trip to correspond with Nellie, my new friend, every day.  She encourages me.  I send her an e-mail about my day and get one about hers.  It has become one of the highlights of my day.  An email in the inbox from Nellie.

We can make this birthday special for Nellie.  We can give a gift that GIVES!

EVERY DOLLAR and PENNY COUNTS!

So, e-mail me if you would like to be a part of the gift giving.  Money and a birthday message from you are the only 2 requirements!

To get it all bought and delivered in time, we will be collecting money and messages through December 20th.

Gifts that Give

The Christmas holiday is my favorite time of year.  I love the traditions of cutting down a tree, making cookies, taking sleigh rides, and giving gifts.  But as I am growing in my love for Jesus He is showing me that Christmas needs to be more about Him.  So this year I am making more of an effort to balance the warm holiday memories with sharing my blessings with my friends around the world that are in need.

So here are some of my favorite stores.  Proceeds from these places always benefit a charity that gives to orphans, widows, needy, homeless, broken and spiritually needy people of the world.  Make your gift giving this year count!

Best way you can give in my humble opinion is to choose a ministry or orphanage to give to and then print out pictures or information about them and put it in a card for the receiver.  While they don't get a "product" for Christmas, but instead the blessing of knowing that someone else received in honor of them.  Need ideas for places to do this?  I have lots ;) just email me!

Proceeds from this shop go toward Mayan Families.  And the shop owner's generous heart is always giving to other places too!  This shop offers boutique clothing for girls and boys of all ages.  You have seen pictures of my kids in these clothes and if you shop you will even find some of Macy and Laney in the store!

This shop gives 100%  of its proceeds to orphans and widows.  They sell handmade cards, hair accessories and bracelets.

This book is a beautiful story about how God made them just the way they are.  It can be personalized and signed by the author for only $10!  All proceeds benefit the families' adoption.

This store is filled with apparel for those that want to wear  what they believe.  All proceeds benefit adoptions.

Sparrow Fund offers support to adopting families.   The products in their store are all made by Kenyan widows and sold here.  Talk about blessing all over the place with your purchase.  They offer beautiful jewelry, stuffed animals, and bags.

Happy Giving!

my favorite things

No, I am not Oprah.  Wish I was because I would give all my money to the orphans I love a world away.

I am putting together a list of the things for Christmas that can be purchased to help orphans and widows.  Will be giveaways for the holiday season too!

So, want to make my list?  Send me an e-mail, or facebook message, or leave a comment and tell me what you (or someone you know) got and what the proceeds are for and you will make our list!

Check out Grafted In today!

OH new stuff

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Ordinary Hero new summer products.  Check out this cute shirt for little girls!


And can't forget the little men in your life



and new bead cuff bracelets...



You get a bunch of cool gear to sport and 40% of your purchase goes to send me to Africa in December!  Don't forget to chose "Shelley Brown" as "Affliate Name" when you checkout!

Thanks for the support!

May Shopping for a SWEET purpose

Ok, yes May is almost over (where did it go?), but the good news is that online shopping is quick and easy!  And with all the rain you might as well sit inside and do something meaningful!

The story of these beads is  amazing.  Care for widows!

Have been meaning to do this for some time, but better late than never!  A sweet blogger friend, Kelly from WAGI and friends, are starting a nonprofit that provides grants for families that are adopting .  You can read all about the starting of this project here on this post at her blog!

For the month of May, there are so many cute online stores donating 10% of their sales to The Sparrow Fund.  All you do is shop at them, check-out, and they donate to help families bring home kids!  IF you want to mention when purchasing you are supporting the Sparrow Fund that will just help these businesses to see that their stepping out and helping others is working and the news is spreading!  

Here is a listing of all the stores!  GO SHOP!

new product!

New Simply Love totes and military style hats are in.  So adorable!  Check them out by clicking on picture of totes below!  E-mail me to order and save on shipping!  Perfect for day at the ballpark or summer trip AND supports adopting families!